Edward Weston was one of the most influential American photographers of the 20th century. He was well known for his straight photographic style, not manipulating images and keeping his works sharp in focus and rich in detail. In the image taken in 1936, Weston captures California’s most significant remaining coastal dune system, the Oceano Dunes. I think he may be trying to capture the texture of the dunes, their curved lines and organic shapes, as well as tones. 

The texture of the dunes represents loose, coarse sand and shows its smooth natural flow over time while being blown by the desert winds. It is represented and visualized by the different tones of the sand, formed according to the light source (the sun’s) position, illustrating sand forming a small wave-like structure on the dune surface. The patterns of these small “waves,” formally known as sand ripples, show the audience nature’s movement and energy, showing the environment’s dynamic processes. Every single one of them is also unique among all the others, showing diversity and the complex interconnections in the ecosystem. The texture creates a fascinating visual experience, interesting tones and patterns, and emphasizes the deep meaning behind what Weston wants to capture in the photograph. 

The curvy lines of the dunes show energy, making it clear how nature forms the world around us. The outlines of the dunes do not follow any pattern, being completely randomized and dependent on multiple aspects of nature, showing us their uniqueness and beauty. The curved lines also bring depth into the photograph, showing the different layers of the dunes, and serve as a reference object of the massive size the dunes truly are. The organic shapes of the dunes show us structures similar to triangles, but each differentiates from the others. They show us the flow of time and its effect on everything, symbolizing change, and bring emotions and feelings of freedom and wildness to the photograph. 

Lastly, the image’s tone differs from dark shadows to brightly lit areas, making a strong contrast. For example, the back and background of the image feature darker tones, while the front has lighter, brighter tones of the sand, cleverly done so by Weston’s positioning of the camera to capture the shadows and lighting of the dunes. This highlights the aura of nature and captures the audience’s attention better.  

If I were to name this image, I would have named it “The Majestic City”. Each dune comprises thousands of millions of sand grains, and they all “work” together to form the image we see. The winds, storms, and rain manipulate the sand, all to form the image Weston took at that moment in 1936. All these components act like a large, majestic metropolitan city, and we get to see its result through camera lenses, taking the photo.  

The formal elements of photography are shown inside the image in multiple ways. Here is the detailed description; 

Shape: Edward Weston includes the dunes’ organic shapes as the main subjects, which show and symbolize nature well, as well as the uniqueness of the environment. 

Lines: Curved lines are the main component of the photo, which show movement and the energy possessed by the dunes and nature. 

Texture: The sand ripples formed by the winds are clearly visible in the texture of the image and the dunes. They are the results of the desert winds which blow frequently in the region, 

Tone: There is a tone contrast between the background and the main component (sand dunes) in the image, with the background having slightly darker tones, while the subject has lighter tones.  

Focus: The photograph has good focus on the sand dunes, featuring a straight photographic style, 

Pattern: Patterns in the image are more organic and randomized, with each dune being unique in its own way.

 

Works Cited:

dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/945833/sections/lesson/957609/page/957614. Accessed 7 Sept. 2025.

“Edward Weston.” Holden Luntz Gallery, www.holdenluntz.com/artists/edward-weston/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2025.

Weston, Edward. Dunes, Oceano. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/265165. Accessed 4 Sept. 2025.